Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School, Greenville County Schools
Certified: 3 Green Globes® by the Green Building Initiative® (GBI)
Awarded:
- Learning By Design, Citation of Excellence Award, 2016
- Association for Learning Environments (A4LE, formerly CEFPI), James D. MacConnell Award, 2015
- Association for Learning Environments (A4LE, formerly CEFPI), SC Chapter, Excellence in Design Honor Award, 2015
- AIA Spartanburg, Award for Design Excellence, 2015
- PCI Design Awards, Honorable Mention, 2015
McMillan Pazdan Smith, in collaboration with an internationally recognized programming consultant, Fielding Nair, designed this new, STEAM middle school for Greenville County Schools that is uniquely different than currently established teaching environments. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) education seeks to transform the typical teacher-centered classroom — and encourages the principles of a transdisciplinary, project, and inquiry-based learning environment.
Located on 27 acres on the Millennium Campus next to the CU-ICAR (Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research) campus, the school serves 1,000 students through small learning communities, a research-based curriculum, and team teaching in flexible and adaptable spaces. The opportunities for collaboration are provided through a range of more agile environments that can accommodate lectures, seminars, team, and individual activities.
Designed to achieve Green Globes certification, the three-story, 179,000 SF building serves as a teaching tool with indoor and outdoor learning spaces that demonstrate specific applications of math, science, and engineering using the most sophisticated technological building applications and systems. Programs developed by engineering and technology corporation leaders in the Upstate enhance the connection to the student’s actual application outside an academic environment and encourage community investment and involvement in school programs.
In association with Fielding Nair International, Educational Facility Planner + Co-Design Architect